abhor
24 uses
She abhors violence.
abhors = hates
Definition
Generally abhor means:to hate or detest something
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
accord
16 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
according to, or in accord with
She will get a fair trial in accordance with the law.
accordance = keeping
Definition
Generally this sense of accord means:in keeping with; or in agreement/harmony/unity with
This sense of accord is often seen in the form according to or accordingly where it can take on more specific meanings. For example:
- "According to Kim, ..." — as stated by
- "To each according to her ability." — based upon
- "Points are scored according to how well they perform." — depending upon
- "The dose is calculated according to body weight." — in proportion to
- "We got a flat tire. Accordingly, I pulled to the side of the road." — because of what was just said; or as a result
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 53 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
unquizzed meaning —1 use
benevolent
22 uses
They called themselves The Benevolent Association because their mission was to help others.
benevolent = kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 22 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
bestow
30 uses
They gave her the highest honor they can bestow.
bestow = give (as an honor)
Definition
Generally bestow means:to give — typically to present as an honor or give as a gift
Word Statistics
| Book | 30 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
conjecture
12 uses
She dismissed it as mere conjecture.
conjecture = a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence
Definition
Generally conjecture means:a conclusion or opinion based on inconclusive evidence; or the act of forming of such a conclusion or opinion
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
consequence
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
a direct consequence of
Your decision will have three major consequences.
consequences = results
Definition
Generally this sense of consequence means:a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 28 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
countenance
48 uses
1 —48 uses as in:
a pleasant countenance
She has a pleasant countenance.
countenance = facial expression; or face
Definition
Generally this sense of countenance means:facial expression; or face; or composure or manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 48 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
direct (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 21 uses
1 —17 uses as in:
directed her question to
The sprinkler head needs to be fixed so it directs water away from the house.
directs = aims
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 17 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
2 —2 uses as in:
directed the jury to...
On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.
direct = instruct
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:give instructions or commands
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
unquizzed meaning —2 uses
resolution (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 10 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a New Year's resolution
Her New Year's resolution is to read deeply at least one hour a day.
resolution = a firm decision to do something
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
2 —8 uses as in:
Her resolution weakened.
She ran each mile of the marathon with increasing resolution.
resolution = determination
Definition
Generally this sense of resolution means:determination (firmness of purpose)
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Intr. |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 37 uses
1 —36 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
This year I resolved to lose a pound a week for 5 weeks.
resolved = decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 36 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
2 —1 use as in:
Her resolve weakened.
She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.
resolve = determination (firmness of purpose)
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
satiate
5 uses
The candy satiated my craving for sugar.
satiated = satisfied
Definition
Generally satiate means:to satisfy a hunger; or fill to satisfaction (typically said of hunger for food, but can be said of anything desired—such as of knowledge or sensual pleasure)
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
sublime
7 uses
1 —7 uses as in:
she is sublime
I love good movies, from the silly to the sublime.
sublime = impressively wonderful
Definition
Generally this sense of sublime means:impressively wonderful — often beautiful or morally admirable
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
sustain (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 11 uses
1 —5 uses as in:
sustained by her faith
We sustained ourselves on bread and water.
sustained = supported
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:provide support or necessities
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —6 uses as in:
sustained wounds
Every building within a two miles of the center of the earthquake sustained damage.
sustained = suffered
Definition
Generally this sense of sustain means:to suffer (as of injury, damage, or loss)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
wretched
24 uses
The children were taken into protective custody due to their wretched living conditions.
wretched = miserable
Definition
Generally wretched means:very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable — as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality — as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad — as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Intr. |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 8 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4 |
2 —6 uses as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |